Polish woman struck by speedboat, dies

A Polish woman died after being struck by a speedboat off Jomtien Beach.

Wanda Horst Sikorska, 57, died after the propeller of the boat cut her from ear to throat Jan. 11 in the waters off Jomtien Soi 9. The cut extended to her chest and arm.

Mongkol Ouayfuay, driver of the 12-passenger speedboat, said he was leaving the area to go to Bali Hai Pier to pick up tourists, but did not see Sikorska in the water.

Mongkol Ouayfuay, driver of the 12-passenger speedboat, said he was just trying to get back to Bali Hai pier and didn’t see the woman swimming.

Tour bus driver Mana Mokkhao, 62, said Sikorska was on holiday with her doctor husband, taking shore leave in Pattaya from their cruise ship, which was berthed in Laem Chabang. They had been scheduled to leave just hours later.

Police said Sikorska was not swimming in a designated swimming area. However, the boat captain was still being held for further investigation.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday January 18, 2013 (Vol. XXI No. 3).

1 Comment

As a Jomtien resident I often sit in the late afternoon watching the irresponsible and dangerous behaviour of Banana boat and jetski owners and hirers. A lot of it is just 'showboating'. I'm surprised more swimmers aren't killed! There needs to be an exclusion zone distance with defined access ways to the beach for these craft, which in the wrong hands are potentially lethal. Jomtien beach is unsafe for the unwary!